Security Freeze is important to prevent your credit, loans, and other services from being approved in your name without your consent. But sometimes you need to remove the freeze for the approval of your request or application for your new loans and credits.
If you have placed a security freeze on your personal credit report, you have to allow a third party (i.e. creditors, banks) to access your credit report to apply for credit or some other transaction. In that case, you need to lift or remove that security freeze, and you can do it online at Experian Freeze Center.
How to Freeze Your Experian Credit File
The goal of a credit freeze (or security freeze) is to block new creditors from checking your report when someone tries to open a new account in your name.
Online Methode
This is the quickest method, often taking effect immediately:
- Go to the Experian Security Freeze website https://www.experian.com/help/credit-freeze/
- Sign up for a free Experian account or log in if you have one.
- Follow the simple steps to toggle the status and place a freeze on your file.
By Phone
If you prefer to speak to someone or use an automated system, you can call Experian:
- Call 1-888-EXPERIAN (1-888-397-3742).
- Be ready to provide personal information so they can verify your identity.
By Mail
If you choose to submit your request by mail, it will take longer (up to three business days after they receive it). Send your written request to:
Experian Security Freeze P.O. Box 9554 Allen, TX 75013
Your request must include your full name, Social Security number, date of birth, complete addresses for the past two years, and copies of documents like a government ID and a recent utility bill or bank statement to prove your identity and address.
How to Unfreeze (Lift) Your Experian Credit File
When you apply for a new line of credit, such as a mortgage, auto loan, or credit card, you’ll need to unfreeze your credit so the lender can check your credit history.
You have two options for unfreezing:
| Option | What It Does | When to Use It |
| Temporary Lift (Thaw) | Removes the freeze for a set period (e.g., 24 hours, one week), then automatically places it back. | When you know the exact date(s) you’ll be applying for credit. |
| Permanent Removal | Removes the freeze indefinitely. You’ll need to request a new freeze to protect your file again. | If you plan to apply for credit frequently over a long period. |
- The Quickest Way: Online
- Log in to your Experian account.
- Navigate to the credit freeze management area.
- Choose either to permanently remove the freeze or to schedule a temporary thaw with a start and end date. This is usually effective instantly.
- By Phone or Mail
You can use the same phone number and mailing address listed above to request an unfreeze. Phone requests are typically processed within one hour, while mail requests take up to three business days after receipt.
Important Notes about Experian Security Freeze
- If you want, you can request freeze removal by phone or by mail.
- Once you have selected the start and end dates of the temporary freeze removal, you cannot change it.
- This free Experian Freeze Removal Service cannot lift a freeze associated with a TransUnion or Equifax account.
- In the temporary removal freeze, you can allow multiple lenders to access your file in order to get the best rate within the time framed you specified.
- If you want to allow only one lender to access your report you can choose a one-time use pin. Then give this pin to the particular lender to access your credit report for a single time.
For any question about the Experian Freeze Removal process, you can call an Experian customer service agent at 1(877)284-7942.
About Experian
Experian Plc. is a consumer credit reporting agency and provides the service to over one billion people and business in which 235 million consumers and more than 25 million businesses are from the US. It is a Dublin, Ireland based company and one of the Big Three credit reporting agencies.
Useful Link:
www.experian.com/ncaconline/removefreeze